Mobile communication terminal and method of controlling volume thereof

ABSTRACT

A mobile communication terminal and method of controlling a volume thereof are disclosed, by which the volume of the mobile communication terminal can be controlled in case of entering a specific mode while a manner mode is set. The present invention includes entering a specific mode for outputting an audio signal while a manner mode is set, selecting a presence or non-presence of an output of the audio signal, and terminating the specific mode, wherein the manner mode is maintained in case of terminating the specific mode.

This application claims the benefit of the Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0037873, filed on Apr. 18, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal, and more particularly, to a mobile communication terminal and method of controlling a volume thereof. Although the present invention is suitable for a wide scope of applications, it is particularly suitable for controlling a volume in case of entering a specific mode while a manner mode is set.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Generally, a mobile communication terminal moves around within a mobile communication service area to perform a phone call to a normal phone subscriber or another mobile communication terminal, mobile management for personal information, and information transaction with a personal computer.

The mobile communication terminal is provided with a function of setting a manner mode for consideration for others. In this case, the manner mode means the mode for performing announcement for various events or incoming call of the mobile communication terminal via a means different from an audio signal output under the circumstance that requires silence.

However, the related art mobile communication terminal controls a volume of an audio signal to be indiscriminately set to zero in case that the manner mode is entered. So, the related art mobile communication terminal is unable to control the audio signal volume in various ways while the manner mode is set.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a mobile communication terminal and method of controlling a volume thereof that substantially obviate one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile communication terminal and method of controlling a volume thereof, by which the volume of the mobile communication terminal can be controlled in case of entering a specific mode while a manner mode is set.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile communication terminal and method of controlling a volume thereof, by which a manner mode can be partially released while the manner mode is set.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a method of controlling a volume in a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention includes entering a specific mode in which is able to be outputted an audio signal in a manner mode; selecting a presence or non-presence of an output of the audio signal; and terminating the specific mode, wherein the manner mode is maintained in case of terminating the specific mode.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of controlling a volume in a mobile communication terminal includes entering a specific mode in which is able to be outputted an audio signal in a manner mode; selecting one of a full release of the manner mode, a partial release of the manner mode and a maintenance of the manner mode; executing a specific mode by controlling the volume of the audio signal based on the selection; and terminating the specific mode, wherein a release or maintenance status of the manner mode is determined based on the selection in case of terminating the specific mode.

In another aspect of the present invention, a mobile communication terminal includes an input unit for a key signal input relating to a specific mode entry and a key signal input relating to a selection for a presence or non-presence of an audio signal output in case of the specific mode entry; a control unit, in case of receiving the key signal input while a manner mode is set, controlling an item for selecting the presence or non-presence of the audio signal output to be displayed, the control unit controlling the manner mode to be maintained in case of terminating the specific mode; a display unit displaying an item for selecting the presence or non-presence of the audio signal output in correspondence to a control command of the control unit; and an audio output unit outputting the audio signal if the presence of the output of the audio signal is selected in case of executing the specific mode.

In another aspect of the present invention, a mobile communication terminal includes an input unit for a key signal input relating to a specific mode entry and a key signal input relating to a full release of a manner mode, a partial release of the manner mode, or a maintenance of the manner mode in case of the specific mode entry; a control unit, in case of receiving the key signal input while the manner mode is set, controlling a volume of an audio signal and the manner mode in case of executing or terminating the specific mode based on a selection of the full release of the manner mode, the partial release of the manner mode, or the maintenance of the manner mode; and an audio output unit outputting the audio signal if the full release or the partial release of the manner mode is selected in case of executing the specific mode.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile communication terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method of controlling a volume in a mobile communication terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method of controlling a volume in a mobile communication terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a concept for one embodiment of the mobile communication terminal volume controlling method shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a concept for one embodiment of the mobile communication terminal volume controlling method shown in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

First of all, a mobile communication terminal described in the specification can include an electronic device portable by a user. For instance, the electronic device includes a mobile phone, a digital broadcast terminal, an MP3 player, a PDA (personal digital assistant), a PMP (portable multimedia player), or the like.

A mobile communication terminal and method of controlling a volume thereof are explained with reference to the attached drawings as follows.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile communication terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method of controlling a volume in a mobile communication terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a mobile communication terminal 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a control unit 110, a wireless communication unit 120, an audio output unit 130, a display unit 140, a storage unit 150, and an input unit 160.

The mobile communication terminal 100 shown in FIG. 1 is just one embodiment of the present invention and does not put limitation on the present invention. Namely, to configure the mobile communication terminal of the present invention, the elements shown in FIG. 1 can be omitted in part or new element(s) can be added according to implementation of the present invention.

In the specification of the present invention, ‘manner mode’ means a mode for performing announcement for various events or incoming call of the mobile communication terminal via a means different from an audio signal output under the circumstance that requires silence. For instance, an audio signal output can be replaced by vibration or lamp flickering to perform announcement.

Meanwhile, the mobile communication terminal 100 is able to enter a specific mode while a manner mode is set (S10, S20). In this case, the specific mode can be a mode for performing a specific function while an audio signal is reproduced.

The specific mode entry can be performed by a key manipulation of the input unit 160. As an example of the specific mode, there is a broadcast play mode, a music play mode, a moving picture player mode, a bell sound setting mode, a sound effect generating mode, a time alarming mode, a game mode, or the like.

And, an audio signal can be reproduced in various ways while the specific mode is set. For instance, in the broadcast play mode, a broadcast signal received via the wireless communication unit 120 is decoded to reproduce an audio signal. In this case, audio data included in the broadcast signal can be outputted via the audio output unit 130.

In the moving picture/bell sound play mode, it is able to reproduce an audio signal by outputting moving picture/bell sound stored in the storage unit 150. The moving picture or bell sound includes audio data that can be outputted via the audio output unit 130.

Meanwhile, a key signal input can be performed using an abbreviation or hot key. The hot key can be provided to the input unit 140 for convenience and facilitation of key signal manipulation.

The input unit 160 can include a keypad, a touch pad, a touchscreen, or the like according to a configuration of the mobile communication terminal 100. In particular, the input unit 160 includes the touchscreen, it is able to manipulate the input unit 160 by touching the display unit 140.

In case that a specific mode is entered while a manner mode is set, it is able to select a presence or non-presence of an output of the audio signal (S30). In this case, the selection for the presence or non-presence of the output of the audio signal means a selection for whether to reproduce the audio signal outputted in case of an execution of the specific mode. And, the selection can be performed through a key manipulation of the input unit 160.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, for the convenience of selecting the presence or non-presence of the output of the audio signal, the control unit 110 is able to display an item for selecting the presence or non-presence of the output of the audio signal on the display unit 140 as soon as the specific mode is entered. This will be explained in detail with reference to FIG. 4 later.

If the output of the audio signal is selected in the step S30, the control unit 110 is able to reproduce the audio signal while the specific mode is executed (S40). The audio signal reproduction can be performed via the audio output unit 130. In this case, an initial volume of the outputted audio signal can be a volume lately outputted via the audio output unit 130 or a preset audio signal volume. In case that the specific mode ends via the step S40, the control unit 110 is able to maintain the manner mode set status (S50, S60).

If the output of the audio signal is not selected in the step S30 (i.e., the non-presence of the output of the audio signal is selected), the control unit 110 is able to execute the specific mode without reproducing the audio signal (S70).

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit is able to maintain the manner mode set status even if the specific mode ends via the step S70 (S50, S60).

A method of controlling a volume of a mobile communication terminal, in case that a broadcast mode is entered as an example for the volume control method of the mobile communication terminal 100 shown in FIG. 2, is explained as follows.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the method shown in FIG. 2, and more particularly, a method of controlling a volume in a mobile communication terminal in case that a broadcast mode is entered.

First of all, if a broadcast mode is entered while a manner mode is set, a picture for selecting a presence or non-presence of audio reproduction can be displayed. If ‘yes’ is selected, the manner mode is temporarily released. So, the broadcast is reproduced while an audio is outputted in correspondence to a previous volume setting. Even if the broadcast is terminated, the manner mode set status can be maintained.

On the other hand, if ‘no’ is selected on the picture for selecting the presence or non-presence of the audio reproduction, the audio reproduction is not available as the previous manner mode is maintained. Yet, a video signal is reproduced and outputted only. The video signal reproduction can be carried out via the display unit 140. Like the broadcast mode status, even if the broadcast is terminated, the manner mode set status can be maintained.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method of controlling a volume in a mobile communication terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention. Parts overlapped with those of the description for FIG. 2 are omitted in the following description.

Referring to FIG. 3, the mobile communication terminal 100 is able to enter a specific mode while a manner mode is set (S110, S120). In this case, the specific mode can be a mode for performing a specific function while an audio signal is reproduced. The specific mode entry can be performed by a key manipulation of the input unit 160.

If the specific mode is entered while the manner mode is set, it is able to release the manner mode for an output of an audio signal reproduced in the specific mode. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the manner mode release can include a manner mode full release for releasing the manner mode fully and a manner mode partial release for releasing the manner mode while the specific mode is executed. Of course, it is able to maintain the manner mode while the specific mode is executed (S130).

Meanwhile, the control unit 110 is able to display a picture for selecting one of the full release of the manner mode, the partial release of the manner mode, and the maintenance of the manner mode on the display unit 140. This will be explained with reference to FIG. 5 later.

If the full release of the manner mode is selected in the step S130, the control unit is able to reproduce the audio signal while the specific mode is executed (S140). The audio signal reproduction can be performed via the audio output unit 130. In this case, an initial volume of the outputted audio signal can be a volume lately outputted via the audio output unit 130 or a preset audio signal volume. In case that the specific mode ends via the step S40, the control unit 110 is able to maintain the manner mode release status (S150, S160).

If the partial release of the manner mode is selected in the step S130, the control unit 110 is able to reproduce the audio signal by releasing the manner mode partially in the course of executing the specific mode (S170). The audio signal reproduction can be performed via the audio output unit 130. In this case, an initial volume of the outputted audio signal can be a volume lately outputted via the audio output unit 130 or a preset audio signal volume. If the specific mode ends, the control unit 110 makes the mobile communication terminal 100 re-enter the manner mode (S180, S190).

If the maintenance of the manner mode is selected in the step S130, the control unit 110 maintains the manner mode while the specific mode is executed. So, the control unit 110 does not reproduce the audio signal while the specific mode is executed (S200). If the specific mode ends, the control unit 110 maintains the mobile communication terminal 100 stay in the manner mode (S210, S220).

A method of controlling a volume of a mobile communication terminal, in case that a broadcast mode is entered as an example for the volume control method of the mobile communication terminal 100 shown in FIG. 3, is explained as follows.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the method shown in FIG. 3, and more particularly, a method of controlling a volume in a mobile communication terminal in case that a broadcast mode is entered.

First of all, if a broadcast mode is entered while a manner mode is set, a picture for selecting a presence or non-presence of a manner mode release can be displayed. In this case, the manner mode release includes ‘broadcast only release‘ and ‘full release’. Of course, an item for maintaining the manner mode in case of broadcast entry is displayed as well.

If the ‘broadcast only release’ is selected, the manner mode is temporarily released while a broadcast signal is outputted. So, the broadcast is reproduced while the audio is outputted in correspondence to the previous volume setting.

If the ‘full release’ is selected, the manner mode is fully released from another mode as well as the broadcast signal output mode. So, the audio is outputted in correspondence to the previous volume setting while the broadcast is reproduced. If the broadcast ends, the manner mode keeps being released.

If the ‘manner mode maintenance’ is selected, the audio is not outputted while the broadcast signal is outputted. And, the manner mode set status is maintained if the broadcast ends.

Accordingly, the present invention provides the following effects or advantages.

First of all, the present invention is able to manage a manner mode by dividing the manner mode into a manner mode in the course of executing a specific mode and a manner mode in the course of not executing a specific mode.

Hence, an audio signal is reproduced by releasing the manner mode while the specific mode is executed. If the specific mode ends, the manner mode can be automatically re-entered.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A method of controlling a volume in a mobile communication terminal, comprising: entering a specific mode in which is able to be outputted an audio signal in a manner mode; selecting a presence or non-presence of an output of the audio signal; and terminating the specific mode, wherein the manner mode is maintained in case of terminating the specific mode.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the specific mode comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of a broadcast play mode, a music play mode, a moving picture player mode, a bell sound setting mode, a sound effect generating mode, a time alarming mode, and a game mode.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein selecting the presence or non-presence of an output of the audio signal comprises displaying an item for the selecting as soon as the specific mode is entered.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein if the presence of the output of the audio signal is selected in the step of selecting the presence or non-presence of the output of the audio signal, an initial volume of the audio signal outputted in case of executing the specific mode is a lately outputted audio signal volume or a preset volume.
 5. A method of controlling a volume in a mobile communication terminal, comprising: entering a specific mode in which is able to be outputted an audio signal in a manner mode; selecting one of a full release of the manner mode, a partial release of the manner mode and a maintenance of the manner mode; executing a specific mode by controlling the volume of the audio signal based on the selection; and terminating the specific mode, wherein a release or maintenance status of the manner mode is determined based on the selection in case of terminating the specific mode.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the specific mode comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of a broadcast play mode, a music play mode, a moving picture player mode, a bell sound setting mode, a sound effect generating mode, a time alarming mode, and a game mode.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the partial release of the manner mode is to just release the manner mode while the specific mode is executed.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the selecting step comprises; displaying a picture for selecting one of the full release of the manner mode, the partial release of the manner mode and the maintenance of the manner mode as soon as the specific mode is entered.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein if the full release or the partial release of the manner mode is selected in the selecting step, an initial volume of the audio signal outputted in case of executing the specific mode is a lately outputted audio signal volume or a preset volume.
 10. A mobile communication terminal comprising: an input unit for a key signal input relating to a specific mode entry and a key signal input relating to a selection for a presence or non-presence of an audio signal output in case of the specific mode entry; a control unit, in case of receiving the key signal input while a manner mode is set, controlling an item for selecting the presence or non-presence of the audio signal output to be displayed, the control unit controlling the manner mode to be maintained in case of terminating the specific mode; a display unit displaying an item for selecting the presence or non-presence of the audio signal output in correspondence to a control command of the control unit; and an audio output unit outputting the audio signal if the presence of the output of the audio signal is selected in case of executing the specific mode.
 11. A mobile communication terminal comprising: an input unit for a key signal input relating to a specific mode entry and a key signal input relating to a full release of a manner mode, a partial release of the manner mode, or a maintenance of the manner mode in case of the specific mode entry; a control unit, in case of receiving the key signal input while the manner mode is set, controlling a volume of an audio signal and the manner mode in case of executing or terminating the specific mode based on a selection of the full release of the manner mode, the partial release of the manner mode, or the maintenance of the manner mode; and an audio output unit outputting the audio signal if the full release or the partial release of the manner mode is selected in case of executing the specific mode. 